Bead in the Shape of a Frog c. 501 - 800

This tiny bead in the shape of a frog is made of jade and resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Although its creator is anonymous, its form speaks volumes about the culture that produced it. The frog, often associated with water, fertility, and transformation, was a potent symbol in many ancient societies. Without knowing the exact time or place of its creation, we can only speculate about its specific meaning. Was it an amulet meant to bring good fortune? Or was it a symbol of spiritual significance? The value of the material itself—jade—offers a clue. Jade was often reserved for the elite, which suggests that this bead once belonged to someone of high social standing. Objects like this one remind us that art is never made in a vacuum. To fully understand its place in the world, we must consult history books, archeological reports, and anthropological studies. By piecing together the available evidence, we can gain insight into the society that created this intriguing little sculpture.